If someone gave you space for a retail shop for FREE, what would you do with it?

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Long story short, I've got access to a 3 story building for an undetermined time period, as long as we'd need basically.

The location is near the county's court house (proper term?) and the previous tenant was selling fishing/hunting equipment.

Here's a link to a map of the area. The court house is at the intersection of main and third, and fourth and columbia. This building is on 6th street intersecting with main street.

If you guys can give me some good ideas, I'll actually setup a shop there, and keep you guys updated on how things go. I don't care what your idea is, as long as it's legal.

Purdue is just half a mile or so away from there, so keep that in mind for the age group of people that are in the area.

I'll grab some pictures of it later this week or early next week. If anyone wants to be involved with this in any way, drop me a message.

Update: My partner and I have an idea for a business that we're putting together and have a few different wholesalers that we're working with. With the new building, as soon as we sign a lease of some kind, I'll post pictures showing it and explaining what we plan to do

 

[MegaVovaN]

1. PC repair/build shop
2. server room if you can get a very fat pipe to teh internetz

 

[Argo]

If you're that close to a college then a bar is in order. Provided you want to deal with liquor licenses and etc.

 

[amdskip]

Is it an old brick building with character inside? College towns are great places for bars. What do you think about having a multi themed bar and maybe a party rental room on one of the floors.

 

[mryellow2]

What would I do?

Set up an arts and crafts shop, specialising in clay/pottery - with lessons/classes/workshops.

 

[Terabyte]

What kind of demographics are we talking about? A lot of Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, Latinos ...etc? Rich people who like to spend money, rich people who are cheap, poor people?...etc?

 

[TruePaige]

I would setup a collectibles shop on the 1st floor, and a bar on the 2nd floor, and an event area on the 3rd floor.

Make it a geek hangout in the day, a college kid hangout in the night, and have LAN Parties / RAVES on the 3rd floor.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: amdskip
Is it an old brick building with character inside? College towns are great places for bars. What do you think about having a multi themed bar and maybe a party rental room on one of the floors.

Yes, it is an older brick building

What do you mean by a multi themed bar?

The party rental room is a good idea - plenty of people that would want to throw parties but not have to deal with cleaning things up, and it could specifically cater to that with audio equipment, bar, etc.

Originally posted by: Argo
If you're that close to a college then a bar is in order. Provided you want to deal with liquor licenses and etc.

Good idea, a bar came to my mind, and the proper licenses are what I think needs to be looked into

I'll dig a little more into this and post back with what I find out.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Terabyte
What kind of demographics are we talking about? A lot of Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, Latinos ...etc? Rich people who like to spend money, rich people who are cheap, poor people?...etc?

Not sure, how do I go about looking into this for this specific area? (West Lafayette, IN)

 

[DangerAardvark]

Artsy fartsy coffee shop/bookstore.

 

[Terabyte]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Terabyte
What kind of demographics are we talking about? A lot of Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, Latinos ...etc? Rich people who like to spend money, rich people who are cheap, poor people?...etc?

Not sure, how do I go about looking into this for this specific area? (West Lafayette, IN)

I thought you were local Ask some locals (some people on ATOT should be able to help..if they aren't trying to steal your ideas ), watch customers, and see what the other businesses around the area are like.

Considering that you are around a college, I'd sell/provide something that is relatively cheap since college students (like me) are already spending $$$ on tuition, books, and etc. But if everyone is driving a Mercedes, BMW, etc...sell sell sell!

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: Terabyte

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: Terabyte
What kind of demographics are we talking about? A lot of Caucasians, African Americans, Asians, Latinos ...etc? Rich people who like to spend money, rich people who are cheap, poor people?...etc?

Not sure, how do I go about looking into this for this specific area? (West Lafayette, IN)

I thought you were local Ask some locals (some people on ATOT should be able to help..if they aren't trying to steal your ideas ), watch customers, and see what the other businesses around the area are like.

Considering that you are around a college, I'd sell/provide something that is relatively cheap since college students (like me) are already spending $$$ on tuition, books, and etc. But if everyone is driving a Mercedes, BMW, etc...sell sell sell!

Hehe, well, I am, but my view is just within the college students because I go to Purdue and so the demographics from my point of view and what they actually are, will probably be a bit different.

I'll see if someone has actual #'s of the demographics of the area though, that's probably a good place to start.

 

[montanafan]

It would depend on what you're good at and what sort of businesses are lacking in the area for the demographics. What other businesses or types of places are nearby that your business could draw from or complement? Maybe you could just go to the area during a weekday and see what sort of people the passers-by are and what needs you might be able to cater to.

 

[vi edit]

Assuming there isn't another one close by, maybe a consignment store. That way you have no inventory of your own to manage. You aren't going to have to deal with any sort of messy licenses (food, liquor, ect), and the setup should be pretty easy and inexpensive if you do some bargain hunting on closing department/clothing stores for racks and tables.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: montanafan
It would depend on what you're good at and what sort of businesses are lacking in the area for the demographics. What other businesses or types of places are nearby that your business could draw from or complement? Maybe you could just go to the area during a weekday and see what sort of people the passers-by are and what needs you might be able to cater to.

That's a good idea, I should start with documenting what the other places in the area do. Hopefully next week I'll get some time to do this and gather some data.

 

[AgaBoogaBoo]

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Assuming there isn't another one close by, maybe a consignment store. That way you have no inventory of your own to manage. You aren't going to have to deal with any sort of messy licenses (food, liquor, ect), and the setup should be pretty easy and inexpensive if you do some bargain hunting on closing department/clothing stores for racks and tables.

That's an excellent idea, I'll keep it in mind as I do some research next week. Maybe it could be the second floor of the building?

 

[montanafan]

You could also try talking to someone at the town's Chamber of Commerce. They could probably give you information about businesses, etc. in the area. They may also be able to tell you types businesses that have tried and failed there. They may even have done studies or surveys to find what sort of businesses they'd like to attract to the area.

 

[Nocturnal]

If that was me I would setup a PC repair shop.

 

[Busie23]

I vote for a bar on floor 1, a technology consulting firm on floor 2, and a live in loft area on floor 3. Or if the 3rd floor has roof access then a bar, with roof access.

 

[jackace]

Go talk to the business department in your school those instructors should be able to answer any demographic questions, and they might be able to help you with a bunch of other questions you might have.

 

[mooglemania85]

Originally posted by: AgaBoogaBoo

Originally posted by: amdskip
Is it an old brick building with character inside? College towns are great places for bars. What do you think about having a multi themed bar and maybe a party rental room on one of the floors.

Yes, it is an older brick building

What do you mean by a multi themed bar?

The party rental room is a good idea - plenty of people that would want to throw parties but not have to deal with cleaning things up, and it could specifically cater to that with audio equipment, bar, etc.

Originally posted by: Argo
If you're that close to a college then a bar is in order. Provided you want to deal with liquor licenses and etc.

Good idea, a bar came to my mind, and the proper licenses are what I think needs to be looked into

I'll dig a little more into this and post back with what I find out.

You get older, the college girls stay the same age....

 

[akshatp]

Open a store called Holy Shirts and Pants. Sell nothing but socks and underwear.

Profit?

 

[ATLien247]

How much money are you willing to invest in the business?

 

[WolverineGator]

Originally posted by: akshatp
Open a store called Holy Shirts and Pants. Sell nothing but socks and underwear.
Profit?

We could go into business next to each other. I'll have a restaurant called Porky's and it will serve only vegetarian dishes!

 

[JDMnAR1]

Keep in mind that for things like a bar, in addition to any state/city licenses, you will probably need (or want) to carry a hefty amount of liability insurance.